View Vacancy - AUS - Commonwealth Games Support Officer A2(L)

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Policy & Political roles)
Public Diplomacy

Applications are invited for the position of Commonwealth Games Support Officer based at the British High Commission in Canberra. The jobholder will provide administrative and logistical support to ensure the smooth participation of home nation teams (England/ Scotland/ Wales/ Northern Ireland/ Guernsey/ Jersey/ Isle of Man) in the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games alongside associated events and visits.


The Commonwealth Games Support Officer will work to the Commonwealth Games Programme Co-ordinator based in the High Commission in Canberra. The Programme Co-ordinator and the Games Liaison Officer (based in Brisbane) will support the SRO for the Games (DHM, Canberra) to co-ordinate British government activity for the Games, ensuring the smooth participation of UK teams and the effective management of associated events and visits.

This is a key support and logistics role. The post-holder will support the Programme Co-ordinator to ensure that all Games activity across the Australia network is effectively co-ordinated and implemented. The post-holder will also provide support to the SRO and the wider Programme Board as needed.

The Commonwealth Games will take place on the Gold Coast, Queensland from 4-15 April 2018. The stakeholder picture is complex, with seven ‘Home Nations’ (England/ Scotland/ Wales/ Northern Ireland/ Guernsey/ Jersey/ Isle of Man) competing. We expect approximately 2,000 athletes from the UK to compete in the Games and a significant number of supporters to travel to the Gold Coast. There will also be wider political interest in the Games (which take place shortly before the UK hosts the Commonwealth Summit) alongside potential trade, investment, and GREAT opportunities. We also expect a high number of senior/ VIP visitors during Games time.


Position responsibilities

In advance of the Games, the jobholder’s duties will include:

  • Providing light touch project management to ensure a comprehensive project plan is in pace with key work strands mapped and milestones, interdependencies, and risks identified
  • Overseeing budget management arrangements
  • Supporting the Programme Co-ordinator to drive forward and keep key work streams on track
  • Undertaking key logistical/ administrative work as required by the Programme Co-ordinator (e.g., preparation for key visits/ events)
  • Supporting the Programme Co-ordinator and SRO to manage stakeholder relationships back in the UK
  • Ensuring effective communication with the Games Liaison Officer in Brisbane and across the wider Australia Network

During the Games the job-holder will work with the Programme Co-ordinator to:

  • Support the High Commissioner in her activity on the Gold Coast
  • Provide logistical support for senior visitors/ VIPs
  • Organise receptions/ promotional events
  • Respond to specific requirements of VIP visitors, media, and spectators
  • Provide Crisis support as needed

After the Games the job-holder will assist the FCO programme co-ordinator and the Games Liaison Officer to close down the project and undertake a lessons learned review.

This will be a demanding, high-paced job, which is likely to require some weekend and evening working, particularly in the build-up to and during the Games.

Strong project management skills and an eye for detail will be key, as are resilience, practical problem-solving, and tenacity in order to achieve results. The successful applicant will also need to be able to juggle the demands of a wide range of stakeholders, which will require excellent communication skills, including the confidence to interact effectively with senior stakeholders and strong negotiating skills.


Candidates must also be able to demonstrate strengths in the following competences, and provide evidence of this in previous jobs at interview:

  • Delivering at pace
  • Managing a quality service
  • Making effective decisions
  • Collaborating and partnering
  • Project management experience
  • Experience of running events and visits
  • Knowledge of and a passion for sport
26 October 2017
Administrative Officer (AO)
Fixed Term, Full-time
38
Asia Pacific
Australia
Canberra
British High Commission
1
AUD
62,473 (calculated pro rata)
1 December 2017
30 April 2018

Salary is at AU$ 62,473 per annum (paid out monthly), calculated pro-rata, plus 11% superannuation.

This is a fixed-term appointment ending on 30 April 2018. The formal job description may be subject to amendment in the future.

Appointment is subject to an AFP records check and UK security clearance.

Open only to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and partners/ dependents of UK-based diplomatic staff currently posted in Australia.

Staff recruited locally by the British High Commission and its Consulates is subject to Terms and Conditions of Service according to local Australian employment law.

The British Government supports flexible working practices. Interstate applicants will be required to meet their own travel and relocation expenses. 


All applications must be received before 11:55PM AEDT-Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC/ GMT +11 hours) on 26 October 2017.

Incomplete application forms will not be taken into consideration, so please ensure you provide the information requested. We regret to advise that we will only be contacting short-listed candidates. Applicants called for an interview will be assessed on the core competencies listed above.

To those applicants not short-listed, we extend our appreciation for considering the British Government as a potential employer.

Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.